Tag: caravans

Holidaymakers warned to protect their caravan from thieves this summer

Brits are being warned failure to properly protect their caravans against theft or damage this summer could have huge financial consequences. 

Motoring experts at Quotezone.co.uk warn thousands of holidaymakers could be seriously out of pocket if an uninsured caravan is stolen or damaged while parked.

With many motorists set to take to the roads with touring caravans in tow this summer, experts are warning of the consequences for having incorrect caravan insurance.

Many car insurance policies will provide holidaymakers with basic third-party liability cover for towing a touring caravan. 

However, with 4,000 caravans stolen each year, specific insurance to cover the costs of theft is the best way to ensure Britons aren’t left out of pocket.*

Car insurance will not cover a caravan while it is parked or if it sustains damage. This is why experts encourage Britons to take out dedicated caravan insurance. 

Caravan insurance protects those who are victim to theft of personal belongings or fire damage to their caravan. 

Leaving a caravan vulnerable to tampering, accidental damage or theft could also leave holidaymakers paying hefty sums to fix or repurchase their caravan. 

Brits are encouraged to make sure they are keeping their caravan as secure as possible, with over 17% of those surveyed choosing to park their caravan in a communal caravan park. 

Before setting off with a caravan in tow this summer, holidaymakers must alert their insurer to let them know of plans and make sure the vehicle is fully covered. 

Insurance providers may wish to adjust premiums of those towing caravans. Failure to update providers may lead to refusal to pay out on any claims made. 

It is also important for motorists to review their breakdown cover, as some policies will only cover car breakdowns. This could leave motorists having to leave their caravan behind in the case of a car emergency. 

Greg Wilson, Founder and CEO of Quotezone.co.uk said: “With caravan thefts on the rise and so many due to travel this summer, it has never been a more important time to make sure you are fully insured against any accidents or emergencies. 

“Although sorting insurance isn’t the most exciting summer prep. It could help you from forking out on repairs or covering recovery for your touring caravan in the case of a breakdown on the way to your holiday destination. 

“Many car insurance policies will provide holidaymakers with basic third-party liability cover for towing a touring caravan, but this doesn’t cover everything. 

“We encourage anyone towing a caravan to take out specific insurance for their home away from home. This way, you can get off on your holiday with no worries over cover for your vehicle or caravan.

“But, we also wanted to provide some safety tips to ensure your caravan is as protected as possible this summer. 

Here are Quotezone’s top tips to keep caravans safe from theft or damage: 

  1. Secure storage

Many Brits are able to park their caravans at their private residence on a driveway with a barrier, but those without this option must choose carefully before securing their touring caravan for extended periods of time. If parking at a communal caravan park, make sure to remove all valuables or keep them out of sight for anyone who may be able to peer in through the windows. Make sure to also choose a reputable park with good access control.

  1. Wheel locks

There are wheel locks designed for caravans to make it impossible for anyone to remove without your say-so. Make sure to buy one for caravans specifically in order to get the most effective outcome. 

  1. Install a caravan alarm 

There are lots of caravan alarms on the market for those looking to take extra measures to keep their holiday home secure. A great deterrent for thieves is to make it clear you have an alarm installed by putting stickers in your windows. If parked in a caravan park, the loud noise caused by the alarm will not only deter thieves from your caravan but will also let other owners know there are potential thieves in the park grounds. 

  1. Storing at home

If storing your caravan at home, try to make sure you can park it to the side or back of your house if possible. Those who aren’t able to do this should park their car behind their caravan on a driveway or use a cover to disguise the van’s worth and attractiveness for potential thefts. 

Secret nuclear bunker solves Edinburgh Festival accommodation problem

LGBTQIA+ VILLAGE CREATED AT BARNTON BUNKER

In a bid to beat the soaring cost of accommodation at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival, a group of performers are setting up camp at a disused nuclear bunker on the edge of the city this August. 

Barnton Bunker, which is  situated just five miles from the centre, adjacent to Edinburgh Zoo, was built in 1944 and, in 1951, was commissioned as a Cold War shelter for the British government and the Queen in the event of a nuclear attack.  Decomissioned it 1955 it now plays host to a panoply of performers including queens of a different variety!

The company of ALPHABET SOUP, a new force in LGBTQIA+ comedy, which performs daily from 4th to 27th August at Le Monde Hotel’s Shanghai Night, will be living in caravans on the Barnton Bunker site throughout festival.   Housing a rich mix of world-class queer comedians, drag performers and variety acts the bunker is set to be transformed into Mad Max style digs for the diverse.

ALPHABET SOUP serves up brunch throughout the festival for the very first time.  With a brand new menu every day, mixing a core company of imported performers with a daily change of locally sourced ingredients, this is a queer comedy brunch unlike any other, co-hosted 7G and the hilarious bisexual comedian Alyssa Poteet. With the concerted assault on the rights and freedoms of LGBTQIA+  people across The States and elsewhere, this is part of the fightback. 

In the spirit of ‘We’re Here We’re Queer’, Alphabet Soup is comedy for combat. 

7G – Alphabet Soup co-creator and camp leader says – ‘When I discovered that it would be £30-£35,000 to rent a house for the month for the performers of Alphabet Soup, I thought that we would not be able to premiere our brand new LGBTQIA+ extravaganza at the Edinburgh Fringe. 

“Then a West Hollywood gay friend told me that he was volunteering throughout the month of August to help restore Barnton Nuclear bunker to its World War II glory. As we LGBTQiA+ feel we’re in a war for our human rights right now, staying at a nuclear bunker  feels like a God Shot.. So we met with Ben Mitchell whose family are raising £5 million to restore the facility for visitors to tell him we were in . 

“Not only are we building an Alphabet Soup  Glamping camp site at a fraction of the cost of a house and we each get our own room,  we are also helping Ben raise the profile of his good work at the same time as planning our campaign to  Love Bomb the hatred of those who seek to oppress us.”

Alyssa Poteet – co-creator and fellow camp leader says: “From the most right-wing of red states all the way to our home of Los Angeles California, you can feel the rise of LGBTQIA+ hostility growing in America.

“This concerningly well organized and extraordinarily funded culture war is being seeded in our courthouses and legislatures and seeping into and infecting the hearts of US citizens.

“As we gear up to make our presence known and provide a new narrative about LGBTQUI+ in the wake of all these blows against us, it’s fitting that we must seek refuge in a war bunkers as we fight our fight. Some may lie down at this obstacle –  we’re toasting marshmallows and breathing in the fresh Scottish air”.

A spokesperson for The Barnton Bunker Preservation Society SCIO says: “We are delighted to partner with the talented team behind Alphabet Soup and welcome them to Barnton Bunker. 

“By joining forces, we aim to raise the profile of Barnton Bunker and its restoration efforts, while at the same time giving the Alphabet Soup team a safe, secure, and affordable solution to their accommodation issues during their stay at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

“We extend our warmest thanks to Alphabet Soup, the LGBTQiA+ community and their entire team for their dedication, creativity, and commitment to making a positive impact.  Together, we can transform Barnton Bunker into a unique destination that celebrates history, creativity, and the power of collaboration.”

Staycation Nation?

Scotland ranks third in GB tourist destinations survey

WITH the nation set to embrace staycations, Wales has been named the most popular UK destination to visit post-lockdown – closely followed by the south coast of England, leaving Scotland in third place.

The ranking of top destinations was formed following a survey by leading caravan and motorhome home supplier Kimberley – The Caravan & Motorhome People.

With 20% of the vote, Wales – famous for its rugged coastline and mountainous national parks – topped the list of the UK places where caravan and motorhome owners plan on visiting once coronavirus restrictions are fully lifted.

Scotland took 17% of the vote, just 2% behind the south coast of England.

More than 1,900 adults aged 35 and over were surveyed by YouGov as part of the research, which was commissioned by Kimberley and carried out in late June.

It comes after a record number of leisure vehicles were sold across Europe in 2020 – rising 12% to around 235,000 units, according to the European Caravan Federation

Chris Lowe, director at Kimberley, said: “When restrictions relaxed last summer, there was a huge rise in demand for passport-free holidays and once all lockdown measured are fully removed, it’s expected that British people will once again opt to remain on home turf.

“From the iconic Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands to the White Cliffs of Dover and Lake Windermere in the Lake District to the Welsh views of Snowdonia, it’s no secret that people have been enjoying so many of Britain’s beauty spots and discovering a new-found appreciation for what is on our shores.

“I’m quite surprised Scotland has come third in the poll. As a country with outstanding natural beauty, we know it’s a firm favourite with motorhome and caravanning fans due to the ability to enjoy everything from coastal views to mountainscapes.”

Malcolm Roughead, chief executive of VisitScotland, added: “Scotland’s incredible scenery provides stunning surroundings no matter the mode of transport. With our dynamic driving routes criss-crossing the country, it is no surprise Scotland has ranked so highly as a must-visit destination for caravan and motorhome owners.

“New driving routes – like The Coig covering Ayrshire and some Scottish islands, and South West Coastal 300 – have been a huge success for Scotland’s visitor economy, while showing off the incredible landscapes and attractions to be found across the country throughout the year.

“It is extremely important that we all do our upmost to preserve these special places and enjoy them responsibly. We would urge visitors to ‘know before they go’, checking online whether attractions and businesses are open, welcoming visitors and offering pre-booking – with this being especially important for caravan and motorhome owners. To ensure that visitors and the communities they visit enjoy the best experience possible, we urge all visitors to leave no trace and to dispose of waste and litter responsibly.

“We know that tourism is a force for good – creating economic and social value in every corner of Scotland and enhancing the well-being of everyone who experiences it. We all deserve a holiday, and Scotland, with all it offers, will be the perfect antidote after a series of restrictions and lockdowns.”

The south coast – including Brighton, Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall – came second in the list, with 19% of caravan and motorhome owners pining to visit once restrictions are eased. The east coast, including Norfolk and Suffolk, came in fourth place (10%) and the north west placed fifth (7%).

Of those surveyed, 8% of people said they had no plans to travel, with 4% being unsure about where to visit.

Chris said: “Sales of caravans and motorhomes have also surged due to this increase in staycations, with holidaymakers relishing the flexibility that leisure vehicles have to offer. With lockdown restrictions easing but foreign travel uncertain, more people are looking at the domestic holiday market and leisure vehicles allow them to conveniently take a break.”

Kimberley – which was set up in 1981 – has branches in Kimberley, Nottinghamshire; Darlington, County Durham; and is preparing to open its third site in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, in late summer 2021.

As well as supplying new and pre-used leisure vehicles, Kimberley offers a variety of exclusive caravans and motorhomes that leading manufacturers Compass, Coachman and Swift have tailored to its own specification – including the addition of multiple unique features and upgrades.

Once coronavirus restrictions are fully lifted, which one, if any, of the following places in the UK do you plan on visiting first? 
LocationPercentage of caravan and motorhome owners aged 35 and over 
Wales20%
South coast (e.g. Brighton, Somerset, Dorset, Devon, Cornwall)19%
Scotland17%
East coast (e.g. Norfolk and Suffolk)10%
North west (e.g. Cumbria and Lake District)7%
Midlands (e.g. Peak District)4%
Yorkshire3%
Isle of Wight1%
Northern Ireland0%
No plans to travel8%
Other7%
Don’t know4%


For more information on Kimberley, please visit www.kimberleycaravans.co.uk.